Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard Albert Dale, one of 9 children all of whom survived, was the 4th born of 5 brothers and had 3 elder and 1 younger sister. His parents Matthew Dale and Sarah Jane Stewart, were both born at Edenagoash, Kelleevan, County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1851 and were married in 1880. Their daughter Mary Anne was born, November 10th 1880, Margaret 17th Aug 1882, Robert James circa 1885, Elizabeth Maud circa 1887, John Henry circa 1888, Nathaniel 28th October 1889, Richard Albert 9th May 1891, William George 15th April 1893 and Selina 1st November 1895.
Richard Albert’s farther was a farmer, however, he chose to join the Royal Irish Constabulary. Described as 5’11” tall, grey eyes and dark brown hair, he served as Constable 65486 from September 1st 1910 until he gave in his resignation and was discharged, December 31st 1912. Several members of his family left Ireland in search of better prospects and came to England. as did he between 1912 and the commencement of WW1 in August 1914, settling in Northumberland where he joined the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Police Force.
When war was declared Richard Albert was at the head of the queue, enlisting at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, September 26th 1914, joining the 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers a Pals Battalion part of Kitcheners New Armies. Between September and November a further 3 Tyneside Scottish Battalions were raised. The newly formed battalions initially trained near home until being transferred to Alnwick camp in the grounds of Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, January 29th 1915.
Prior to his departure to Alnwick Company Sergeant Major Richard Albert Dale was married, December 26th 1914 to dressmaker, Elizabeth Coverdale, born October 21st 1889, district of South Shields, who in the census of 1911 was listed as living with her uncle and aunt, John and Mary Eskdale at 60 A, Algernon Road, Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
At Alnwick the 1st-4th Tyneside Scottish Battalion formed the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division as of March 1915, in June 1915, the division moved to Ripon in Yorkshire, where it was taken over by the War Office, August 15th 1915, then moved to Salisbury Plain for final training departing to France, January 9th 1916. At the time of his departure Elizabeth was circa 8 months pregnant with their first child.
Once arrived in France the 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. After a period of trench familiarisation they made their way to the Somme in preparation for the forthcoming battles. Richard would have received news from home that his wife had given birth to a daughter, February 10th 1916, christened Muriel.
The opening battle of the Somme due to commence June 29th 1916 was delayed until July 1st by bad weather. The 20th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was in action on the first day during the Battle of Albert. At 7.28am two huge mines were detonated under the German lines, one to the south and one to the north of the village of La Boisselle which signalled the beginning of the attack. The 20th Battalion had 500 yards to cover under heavy machine gun fire, nevertheless, capturing Scots and Sausage Redoubts. The battalion lost 26 officers and 564 men.
Company Sergeant Major 20/8 Richard Albert Dale Northumberland Fusiliers was one of 60,000 casualties reported as either missing, wounded or dead. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts he was struck off and his wife was informed, August 6th 1916, that he was now considered, “killed in action having been reported missing, July 1st 1916,” the adopted date of his demise.
His widow Elizabeth received all monies due to him from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at 60, Algernon Road, Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, also a pension for herself and Muriel of 17 shillings a week, awarded February 28th 1917 to be received weekly as of March 5th 1917 until February 10th 1932 when Muriel completed 16 years of age.
Post war at the request of the Belgian and French Governments isolated graves and small concentrations were brought into larger cemeteries for re-interment, this went on well into the 1920’s. At map reference 57d. X. 14 were found the graves of 10 British soldiers and although all were marked with a cross only two could be initially identified by name and regiment. After further examination of four, “unknown Tyneside Scottish,” one was identified as Private 212 John Ernest Proud Northumberland Fusiliers of Westerhope, Northumberland, the other as Company Sergeant Major Dale of Heaton, whom together with their comrades were brought into Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France, for re-interment with all reverence and honour by an Army Chaplain, November 22nd 1920. C.S.M. Richard Albert Dale is at rest grave XII. F. 8. at the time of his demise in 1916 he was 25 years of age.
Elizabeth commissioned at a cost of 4 shillings 8 pence an additional inscription to be added to her husband's military headstone, it reads, “Until The Day Dawns.”
Elizabeth Dale nee Coverdale may have married for a second time in 1927 to Robert Wheatley and died aged 41 years, as yet unproven.
Muriel Dale married in the district of Northumberland Central in 1937 to George Milburn born April 8th 1905. In 1939 they were living at 18, Edward Street, Morpeth, Northumberland, George was employed in a mental institution as a nurse. He died in 1956 aged 51 years, Muriel Milburn nee Dale as yet unknown.
Richard Albert’s father Matthew Dale, died January 7th 1922, County Monaghan, aged 71 years, his son Robert present at death, details as regards Sarah Jane Dale nee Stewart, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In peace.
His story is also told by his grandson on the Northumberland Record Office website. Follow the link below.
Richard Albert Dale is remembered in Newcastle on NUT139, NUT158 and NUT174
Northumberland Archives
The CWGC entry for Company Serjeant Major Dale